November 15, 1965 was a date Governor Hayden Burns pronounced as “the most significant in the history of Florida.”  Was Governor Burns’ statement hyperbole? The dramatic series of events proceeding that date are well documented, but worthy of another read on this historic day in our state’s and industry’s history. 

As a 7-year-old boy, sitting at the dinner table in Kissimmee on that November evening, I distinctly remember my father saying, “Kids, I have some exciting news. Walt Disney is going to build a Disneyland down the road.” To which my reply was something like, “That’s nice. May I have more meatloaf, please?”

Less than 6 years later, 50 years ago today, Walt Disney World opened, and the trajectory of our state would never be the same. No one, not even Walt Disney himself, could have imagined how our state would look 50 years later.

For our Florida Attractions Association members whose attractions predate 1971 (and there are many), the founders of your attractions knew long before Walt Disney that Florida was a special place. They understood the unique geography, climate, natural resources, and people made Florida a vacation wonderland. Some of our members were around even prior to the turn of the 20th century! Your Florida Attractions Association itself pre-dates Disney’s opening by 22 years.

For our members opening A.D. (after Disney), you recognized that in some way, shape or form, your business was influenced by Disney’s presence in the Sunshine State. The nexus may be big or small, but it’s undeniable that Walt Disney World has significantly influenced the attraction industry here and around the world.

Whether Disney’s impact on your business is explicit or not, it has firmly positioned Florida as the attraction epicenter of the universe. Governor Burns calling the Disney announcement the most significant event in Florida’s history is a matter of opinion, but he might have been absolutely correct.

Many years later, that seven-year-old boy began what would become a 46+ year career in the attractions industry as he stepped onto Main Street USA as a Walt Disney World Custodial Host. That’s my story. There are many of us in the FAA family whose attractions industry careers began under the tutelage of Mickey.

Today, as Walt Disney World launches “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”, we remember Roy Disney’s dedication of the resort with these words, “May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.”

Irrespective of which attraction you represent today, we are all privileged to be in an industry that’s dedicated to providing experiences “where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.” Few can claim to work in a career with a higher calling or a more noble purpose.

Happy 50^th Anniversary Walt Disney World!

Bill Lupfer
President & CEO

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The 2022 Official Guide Map to Florida Attractions is one of the most popular travel guides at Florida Welcome Centers and Turnpike Plazas, seen by millions of visitors every year. Don't miss the opportunity to generate exposure for your business. Click here for details.

Moving “fore”-ward, our annual Golf Tournament is back on Friday, October 8 and the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation is seeking your support with donations for our tournament Silent Auction. Proceeds help fund college scholarships for employees and dependents of FAA member businesses and our professional development programs.

Gift Baskets, Specialty Items, Golf Packages, Hotel Stays & Gift Certificates all make great auction/raffle prizes!

Click here to make your donations and make your investment in tomorrow’s attraction industry leaders.

It’s not too late to get in on a day of networking on the links – we still have a few openings for players. To register for the tournament, click here. 

Thank you for taking time to regroup and reenergize with our FAA family at the 2021 Annual Conference in Fort Myers. There was great enthusiasm and positive energy and we appreciate the encouraging comments received for the FAA having the courage to host a conference in the waning days of the pandemic.

We owe a great deal of gratitude to our outgoing Chairman, Matt Johnson (IMAG History & Science Center) for his leadership over the past two years, successfully steering our association through a worldwide pandemic.

As our new Chair Jennifer Berthiaume (Lion County Safari) begins her role, we look forward to her leadership as we observe the rebirth of Florida tourism. While we await the inevitable return of visitors from around the world, lets never lose sight of why they come to Florida…for the very reason we live here – its simple a remarkable state.

Whether you were with us in Fort Myers or unable to join us, please take a few minutes to enjoy this recap of our 2021 Annual Conference.

Networking Nights is a fun and exciting regional networking event created by and for members of the Florida Attractions Association to bring local attraction representatives together with their industry suppliers in a casual, social environment. 

Attendees include attraction representatives of FAA Member Attractions from your community as well as Supplier Associate members, Tourism Associate members, and representatives from your local DMO (Convention & Visitors Bureau).

Important Note: Attendees will be required to adhere to any COVID-19 safety guidelines outlined by the host attraction. This can include wearing masks, physically distancing and attendance limitations. Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk anywhere people are present. The FAA cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during our Networking Nights.

Click Here to Register for a Networking Night

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Help support rising hospitality superstars and join your industry colleagues and fellow golf enthusiasts for the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation's annual golf tournament with proceeds benefiting scholarships for students pursuing degrees in hospitality-related fields.

Register Here

Today a new website was launched to help organizations reduce their risk of ransomware. StopRansomware.gov is the new ransomware homepage for federal government agencies to pool resources that can give businesses and organizations of all sizes the opportunity to better protect their networks. The website will also highlight the latest ransomware-related alerts from these agencies.

Ransomware cases are on the rise. In 2020 there was a 300% increase in the amount of ransoms paid, compared to the previous year. Ransomware incidents have become more destructive and impactful in both nature and scope. Malicious cyber actors target critical data and can propagate ransomware across entire networks. These cyber criminals also increasingly use tactics, such as deleting system backups that make restoration and recovery more difficult or infeasible for impacted organizations. The economic and reputational impacts of ransomware incidents, throughout the initial disruption and, at times, extended recovery, have also proven challenging for organizations large and small.

The new website will enable organizations to enhance their network defense while helping organizations be more aware and prepared to deal with malicious cyber actors.

StopRansomware.gov includes information about the critical steps that should be taken to respond to and recover from a cyberattack. This includes a comprehensive Ransomware Guide and Cyber Hygiene services that are available at no cost to help organizations with vulnerability scanning, web application scanning, penetration testing, and phishing assessments. These services can help to assess, identify, and reduce exposure to cyber threats like ransomware.

We advise all organizations to visit StopRansomware.gov to help mitigate ransomware risks.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS AND REGISTRATION